Commissioner Roger Goodell: My Way or the Highway

Several NFL players have voiced their opinions, or perhaps a more underlying message of concern, over the recent moves made by NFL Commisssioner Roger Goodell. Players are being fined on a global scale for what seems to be the smallest things anymore.

As a kid during the 1970's and as a college player in the 1980's, I certainly don't advocate the type of free or reckless play, if you will, from back in those days. For instance, there were really no late hit penalties when someone took down the quarterback after he delivered the ball, unless it was blatant.

There were no substantive penalties with regard to helmet-to-helmet hits. Darryl Stingley's paraplegia was a result of a vicious, but legal hit by Jack Tatum. It was a most unfortunate situation. Moments like that in football are rare, but as Vince Lombardi once said, "This is a collision sport." Players understand the inherent risks this game offers.

The objective of this article is to call the Commissioner for what he is, an autocrat. This man, in some way, feels obligated to exercise his "absolute" authority. There have been more fines levied this year in the first eleven weeks than all of last year. Yes, the money goes to worthy causes like former player pensions or charities, but that does not justify fines for the sake of fines. Some players are now being fined if they have an unsportsmanlike penalty called against them. Football is an emotional game played in a physical manner; tempers are going to flare from time to time.

Also, where is it that coaches are not allowed to speak up against officiating? Let the public judge whether that coach was foolish or unsubstantiated with his comments, not the commissioner as he weighs in and seemingly says don't be overly critical of the referees. Now you have coaches walking on egg shells when it comes to analyzing how the game was officiated.

Would this not be akin to fining someone for free speech? How is that possible in America? I understand the nature of the NFL-NFL officiating group relationship, but when something isn't right, it should be subject to criticism.

This type of governance does not fit our American idea of governance. After all, it was a monarchical style of government that we rebelled against over 200 years ago. This is not a lesson in history, but it appears to me to be about locus of control, and Goodell—of whom I was greatly in support of when he took over for Tagliabue—has shown little propensity for consensus.

And that is what bothers me. The NFL is not a corporation, it is an entity made up of 32 individual companies who have a vested interest in their success. If we continue down this road of restrictions and exercises of men we expect to perform at a certain level, then we diminish the integrity and excitement of the game.

Again, I do not advocate a free-for-all style of play, or that players should parade around in flamboyant or self-indulgent styles, but I believe the game is being lost in a politically correct, entertainment filled, money machine operation, and that there is a fine line between maintaining the integrity of the game and preserving a player's career.

As I close out, even though it has been a few years since his passing, Stingley forever remains in my mind as a reminder of the violent nature of this game, but we/they play the game knowing the risks. NASCAR drivers understand what they do, and the list goes on, but it is a passion, simple as that. The NFL should employ a similar system as our government, Der Kommisar should have to answer to a balance of power, not as sole power. Mr. Commissioner you are not King Goodell, but a man who should be privileged to "serve" the greatest sport in this country.